The Do-Nothing Congress Strikes Again – And the Clock Is Ticking

 As the November 3 general election approaches, Congress is facing significant criticism for inaction on key legislation. With just 120 days until the election, lawmakers have spent a considerable amount of time in recess instead of addressing pressing issues.

1. Legislative Backlogs: The current Congress, referred to as the 119th, has not passed important legislation, including the FISA Section 702 reauthorization, a farm bill, housing initiatives, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Major bills remain incomplete, which could lead to a potential government shutdown by September 30 due to expired funding.

2. Upcoming Deadlines: Federal funding is set to expire on September 30. If Congress does not sign appropriate funding measures, the government could shut down again. The urgency to resolve these funding issues is compounded by the upcoming election, which limits the time available to lawmakers.

3. Limited Legislative Days: Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have limited session days before the election. The House is scheduled to be in session for only six weeks, while the Senate will meet for seven weeks. Only four weeks will see both chambers working simultaneously, leading to only 19 working days together before November 3.

4. Pro Forma Sessions: Congress has returned from yet another recess, but most of their current session is thought to be a formality with little actual legislative work planned. They are not set to return for real business until July 13, after which they will take more breaks.

5. History of Inaction: Historically, this Congress has faced severe criticism for failing to act decisively. For example, in the spring, they were on recess for significant periods while the nation dealt with the longest partial government shutdown in history. They have passed minimal legislation despite being in session for numerous days.

6. Contention Over Key Bills: There is ongoing contention regarding key bills. President Trump is linking the passage of certain bills, like the SAVE America Act, to other legislative efforts, causing further delays. The Senate Republicans lack the necessary votes to overcome Democratic filibusters, which complicates the legislative process.

With only a few months left until the election, critics are questioning whether the current Congress can effectively address the unfinished legislative agenda. The prevailing sentiment suggests that this Congress, marked by extended breaks and minimal productivity, may fail to meet its obligations to the American public. There is growing concern about the implications for voters, as many legislators might be incentivized to remain idle, facing no immediate electoral consequences. 

https://www.libertynation.com/the-do-nothing-congress-strikes-again-and-the-clock-is-ticking